Ideas & Society: The Future of Australia's Alliance with the United States

Given President Donald Trump's apparent indifference to the United States' most important postwar alliances, as demonstrated by the weakening of relations with its NATO partners, can Australia still rely for its security on the United States that is symbolised by the ANZUS Pact?

How far can Australia rely upon the AUKUS agreement and the delivery by the United States of several of its most advanced nuclear-powered submarines? If the AUKUS agreement fails, does Australia have or need a submarine Plan B?

The Trump Administration has unleashed a tariff war on many countries, irrespective of their relations with the United States. One target is Australia. Given that Australia has a free trade treaty with the United States, how serious a breach of faith is involved? How harmful for Australia, both directly and indirectly, might the US tariffs prove? How should we respond?

The trajectory of United States foreign policy is arguably more unpredictable than it has been at any time since the Second World War. Does our close defence and intelligence relationship with the United States, that some have suggested already involves a cession of sovereignty, pose the greatest security danger Australia now faces, especially in the possibility of war over Taiwan between the United States and China?

Alternatively, is it possible that the Trump administration and its successors will allow China to dominate the Western Pacific? If so, what are the implications for Australia?

Many analysts believe that the current US administration is a defence and foreign policy outlier and that in the future the United States will return to something more "normal". Is this likely or even possible?

Can the extremely close defence and intelligence relations between Australia and the United States be maintained? Ought they to be? Are their plausible foreign policy and defence alternatives for Australia's future security?

SPEAKERS

Welcome: Dr Stacey Farraway :: Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Future Growth), La Trobe University
Host: Prof Nick Bisley :: Dean, HUSS, Humanities and Social Sciences, La Trobe University
Prof The Hon Gareth Evans AC KC FASSA FAIIA :: Distinguished Honorary Professor, Australian National University
Emeritus Prof Hugh White AO :: Professor of Strategic Studies, Strategic and Defence Studies Centre of the Australian National University
Jennifer Parker :: Expert Associate, ANU National Security College